San Marino’s “Poopgate” mayor may be recalled

In this June 7 image from from a security video provided by Philip Lao, Dennis Kneier, the mayor of San Marino, tosses a bag of dog waste onto the property of Lao. Lao says he recognized Kneier on the video and called police, who photographed the bag.
COURTESY PHOTO

SAN MARINO >> Councilman Dennis Kneier, who has been in the doghouse for three weeks since he was shown flinging a bag of dog crap on a resident’s lawn, was served with recall papers this week, according to an attorney.

One hundred registered San Marino voters signed a Notice of Intention to circulate a recall petition, according to a press release. The form Kneier received by certified mail Tuesday contains five bullet points.

“You achieved favored policies and programs through acts of intimidation and misrepresentation,” the document reads in part. “You exhibit un-mayoral behavior during City Council meetings by insulting, ridiculing and deriding residents expressing their opinions during Public Comment. You have engaged in retaliatory behavior against a resident expressing opposition to your policies and programs that resulted in San Marino becoming the subject of worldwide ridicule and disgrace.”

Lao has threatened to sue Kneier and the City of San Marino for harassment over what residents are calling “Poopgate.” But Lao said he had no part in the recall effort and did not sign the petition.

Kneier, who has served on the City Council for seven years, could not be reached for comment. His term ends in November 2015.

In a statement, attorney Cary Davidson said Kneier is unfit to be a councilman.

“Councilmember Kneier remains on the City Council in a position to aggressively promote an agenda that is contrary to San Marino’s traditional character and values,” Davidson’s press release states. “Councilmember Kneier’s recent incident concerning his tossing of animal waste on the property of a resident who opposed Mr. Kneier’s agenda revealed a character trait most any community would find unacceptable in an elected official.”

City Hall has not received any recall paperwork, City Clerk Veronica Ruiz said. Davidson said he sent the documents via certified mail. Recall proponents have a week to file their Notice of Intention with the city clerk.

At least 25 percent of registered voters must sign a recall petition to force a recall election. As of Wednesday, that means 2,143 people must sign off on the move.

Supposing the effort has enough support, Ruiz said a vote would likely take place early next year. San Marino may be able to consolidate the election with a March or June county election, which would save city money, she said.

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San Marino spent about $45,000 in its last consolidated election, Ruiz said. If a special election is required, it could cost the affluent suburb $80,000 but the exact amount is still uncertain, Ruiz said.